Merck KGaA is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2015, Merck KGaA generated sales of € 12.85 billion in 66 countries.
Founded in 1668, Merck KGaA is the world`s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

In 1954, a modest filtration company with just a handful of employees, opened for business. The Millipore Filter Company pioneered the use of membrane technology in hundreds of applications. Later changing its name to Millipore Corporation to reflect its growing range of products and expanded core capabilities, the company would expand - through strategic acquisitions, targeted capital investments, and organic growth - to a global, billion dollar Life Science corporation. In 2010, Millipore Corporation was acquired by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and became part of the company’s life science tools division. With a range of more than 60,000 products on offer, this division captures significant opportunities in high-growth, high-margin market segments such as bio-research and bio-production.

As Part of the Merck Group

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is a global pharmaceutical, chemical and life science company with a history that began in 1668 and a future shaped by approximately 38,000 employees in 66 countries. The company’s subsidiaries in North America operate using the umbrella brand 'EMD.'

At Merck Millipore, our mission is to help our customers improve human health and life worldwide. This commitment means providing leading life science products and services in ways that also help improve the communities and environment in which we all live.

We re-imagine a future in which:

Access to health and clean water is available to everyone around the world;

Life science products not only advance human health, but also help restore and preserve our world; and

Companies work in harmony with their communities to improve human lives.

We aren’t just re-imagining this future. We are working towards it every day. We invite you to learn more about our leadership commitment and our approach to corporate responsibility, as well as our goals and accomplishments for future-forward products, streamlined operations, and inspired people within and outside of our company.

At Merck Millipore, Corporate Responsibility refers to our Division’s commitment to advancing social and environmental responsibility throughout our Products, Operations, and People. Together with our employees, customers and partners, we fulfill the promise of science by creating value responsibly for a stronger, healthier business and society.

Living Our Values

We are working to make the future we envision a reality by living out our Mission Statement and our Values that guide us every day – courage, achievement, responsibility, respect, integrity, and transparency. As corporate responsibility is a source of inspiration and innovation for our products, operations and people, we enact our values by:

Helping our customers meet their own sustainability goals and commitments through our innovative products and services;

Making our own operations more sustainable; and

Lending our distinct expertise in areas where we can help make meaningful improvements in our communities.

A Responsibility – and an Opportunity

There are numerous global challenges today, from issues of access to health to climate change to clean water. Through our commitment to corporate responsibility, we are creating value for our business and key stakeholders by advancing environmental and social responsibility throughout our products, operations and people. It drives innovative solutions for our customers, supports a thriving culture and workplace for our employees, promotes a healthy environment, and delivers efficiency and excellence for our business.

As we look to tomorrow, we are focused on the vital issue of improving access for underserved populations. Working with our corporate colleagues at the interface of research tools, diagnostics and chemicals, we collaborate with customers, partners and communities to apply our expertise, core competencies and passion in order to improve lives worldwide.

This is a responsibility, and a business opportunity.

Strong Environmental, Social, and Governance Performance

True corporate responsibility entails maintaining a structure, policies, values, and decision-making processes that incorporate accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, and the rule of law. Our approach fosters an environment that practices these principles, while balancing the authority and responsibility of decision makers, promoting fair representation, aligning the division’s needs with those of its stakeholders, and tracking performance to ensure accountability. In addition to achieving exceptional environmental and social responsibility performance, we strive to demonstrate outstanding governance and management system practices, which align with our mission and values.

Furthermore, transparency is the underlying element of our overall performance. Public disclosures and information regarding key programs and initiatives are provided throughout this website, as well as in the Merck KGaA Corporate Responsibility report. Previous reports of Merck Millipore are available here.

Goals & Commitments

As we re-imagine tomorrow, we have set a bold strategy focused on key goals for 2015 within our three core focus areas – Products, Operations, and People.

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